With oil prices approaching $60 a barrel, stagnant fuel economy gains, and ever increasing use of automobiles, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicle technology is quickly becoming less of a lofty want and more of an immediate need. However, a number of obstacles remain to be cleared before manufacturers and consumers embrace such technology as a standard. The obstacle staring most consumers in the face when they consider such vehicles is cost. Other obstacles include technology development and implementation, resistance from manufacturers to produce small, efficient cars instead of Hummers, and overcoming the inferiority complexes that make people drive Hummers in the first place.
This paper will examine the state of the art of hybrid and fuel-cell vehicle technology, the advances we expect to see in the near future, the obstacles to achieving these advances, and the arguments for and against implementation of this technology.
Posted at Mar 31/2005 08:54 PM:
Peter: Looks good to me. I would be particularly interested in understanding how pricing is so critical when peole are willing to spend so much money on SUVs. Could there be some wiggle room in the equation if people are willing to pay an extra $20,000 - 30,000 for the psychic satisfaction of driving a massive, gas-guzzling vehicle? Of course, you may not be interested in this issue, and should feel free to investigate as you see fit.
fusionpaper.doc